Man arrested for cultivating Chamba

Lilongwe police Tuesday arrested a 63 year old man, Stafford Phalombe for cultivating, possessing and selling cannabis sativa locally known as Chamba.

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According to Central Region Police Public Relations Officer, Nolliettie Chimala said police received a tip off from well-wishers that the suspect was cultivating the prohibited plant behind his house at Mtsiriza Township in Area 47 in Lilongwe.

“Upon receipt of the information, Crime Investigation Department officers from central Region Police Headquarters and Lilongwe police station rushes to the scene, four plants of cannabis were uprooted and the owner was instantly arrested,” she explained.

Currently, Phalombe who hails from Kapakasa Village in the Traditional Authority Mlumbe, in Zomba district is in police custody pending court to answer charges of illegal cultivation of cannabis sativa which is Contravenes Regulation 6A as read with 19 of Dangerous Drug Act.

Police in Dedza have arrested a 53 year old, Moses Wailesi from Mnthala Village, Traditional Authority Kaphuka, Dedza for the similar offence.

The suspect was found with 2 kilogrammes of loose cannabis sativa in his house and 70 plants of the weed.

“The police have uprooted the plants and arrested the suspect on the spot,” Chimala told Mana.

In a related development, 130 plants of Indian hemp belonging to Chisomo Jester aged 23, have been uprooted at Chimbaka Village, Traditional Authority Nthondo in Dedza.

The owner of the plants was arrested and he is in police custody pending court.

Police are appealing to the public to continue providing them with information which could lead to apprehend as many people as possible who may be seen cultivating, possessing and selling the prohibited plant.